Warren lifts mask mandate

COURTESY PHOTO | TERRY BABINO The Warren ISD Tribe Tribute for April went to Gladys Mitchell from the WISD Food Services Department who was praised as being a model employee and "cooking from the heart". (Left to right front row) Scott Mitchell, Tammy Heriard, Gladys Mitchell, Stephen Mitchell, Dr. Tammy Boyette (Left to right back row) Kimen Johnson, Clay Brown, Steve Moore, Rocky Burks, Burt Moore, Billie Read.

WARREN – At its most recent monthly board meeting, the Warren ISD board of trustees voted for the mask mandate to be lifted, it passed.

After Gov. Greg Abbott made Executive Order-GA 34 allowing school boards to determine their school’s mask policy, many schools in Texas jumped to remove the policy.

The board voted to make masks optional effective Monday May 17, nearly seven days before some graduation ceremonies will take place.

Related Articles

Indians claim doubleheader from Alto

Rotary Club tours Camp Cho-Yeh expansion project

COURTESY PHOTO | TERRY BABINO UIL District, Regional, and/or State Qualifier Honorees (Left to right front row) Dr. Tammy Boyette, Brianne Dean, Isabell Stanford, Ty Lambert, Bryce Dean, Julia Drake, James Swinney (Left to right back row) Kimen Johnson, Clay Brown, Steve Moore, Rocky Burks, Burt Moore, Billie Read.

WISD superintendent Dr. Tammy Boyette released a letter with the following information covering the frequently asked questions of the matter.

• Masks will be a matter of personal choice for employees and students beginning on Monday, May 17
• Daily self-screening for COVID-19 symptoms is still required for all employees and students
• Employees and students remain subject to existing requirements for self-reporting and quarantining
• The current TEA definition of “close contact” remains in effect and is enforceable for all employees and students
• Students required to quarantine will be allowed to attend school remotely
• The district will continue to provide notice to parents of known positive COVID-19 cases and to monitor data associated with case prevalence
• The district will continue to provide hand sanitizer and maintain existing cleaning protocols
• To the extent possible, schools will continue to exercise social distancing practices at lunch, common areas and in the classroom in order to reduce the likelihood that students meet the close contact definition
• Buses will open windows to allow for improved air circulation while in transit
• Indoor school visits will continue to be restricted to only those essential to school operations
• To the extent possible, principals will provide events for end-of year celebrations that can be held outdoors to accommodate family attendance
• TEA requires that screening protocols be in place for entrance into all WISD sponsored events
• Medically fragile students may submit a waiver with accompanying medical documentation to opt in to the At-Home learning platform for the remainder of the school year, if they so choose

Other Business:

• The TEA 2021-2022 Allotment and TEKS certification were approved
• Burke Dagle was approved as the “designated asbestos manager” for Warren ISD